Northern Michigan University, located in Marquette, Michigan, is a dynamic four-year, public, comprehensive university that has grown its reputation based on its award-winning leadership programs, cutting-edge technology initiatives and nationally recognized academic programs. Northern has a population of about 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Ask a few Northern students what drew them to our university and you will get a variety of answers. That's because there is no single thing that make students want to go to Northern; it is ALL the things that we do here. Northern is big enough to offer a wide variety of academic programs but is also small enough that every time you walk across campus, you'll probably wave "hi" to someone you know.

Curiosity is the raw ingredient of knowledge. It causes us to ask questions, to seek answers, to learn. At Northern Michigan University, natural curiosity and intellectual challenge meet in stimulating classes grounded in the liberal arts. So wherever your curiosity leads you, you can count on the support you need to take the next step, ask the next question, propose the next hypothesis.

The mission of the Northern Michigan University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Recreational Sports and the United States Olympic Training Site is to create an environment that promotes academic excellence, interpersonal growth and social development; embraces diversity; teaches lifetime leisure skills; fosters spirit and tradition; and builds a lifelong connection to NMU.

Yes, you'll attend your classes, but what else will you be doing as a student at Northern? There's so much stuff to choose from. There's a student organization or club – almost 300 at last count-- for just about every interest. If you're into investigating the paranormal, anime or improv comedy, there's a group. Cheer on your fellow Wildcats at a hockey game or volleyball match. Join a competitive club sport or an intramural team. The sky is the limit.

Press Box

Kristen Schulz

MARQUETTE, Mich. - Northern Michigan University cross country runner, Kristen Schulz, experienced the opportunity of a lifetime as she spent time in South America this past summer as part of an exchange program. A senior from Kenosha, Wis., Schulz is the Wildcats leading runner this season.

She was the top NMU runner the first two events of the season, the U.P. Collegiate Opener (Sept. 3) with a fourth-place finish (19:57.5) and the Lake Superior Challenge (Sept.11) where she finished third (19:25.6). At the Roy Griak Invitational, Schulz was 74th (24:28.1).

During the summer, Schulz was given an opportunity to study in Peru and Argentina. She said the main reason was to enhance her skills as a physical therapist to speak Spanish fluently and to learn more about its culture. Schulz also mentioned that while the United States was into the summer season, the weather in South America was quite a different story as old man winter came calling.

During her stay in Peru and Argentina, Schulz stayed with host families. “The moms motivated you to learn Spanish and they cooked for you,” said Schulz. In case you don’t know about host families. Students such as Schulz are given the opportunity to live and volunteer with families that can be a traditional family, a single parent or even a couple with no children at home. However, the volunteers for the families are usually not paid. Host families are also vetted by organization that is in charge of the study abroad program.

Schulz even got a big appetite as she ate a lot of meat during her time in South America, especially in Argentina. The South America country is well known for its grilled beef where it’s cooked and barbecued either on charcoal or wood embers. With Argentines eating a lot of meat more than any other food, the meat exports are regulated and Europeans set up a share of the frozen meat imports that can’t be exceeded.

In addition, Schulz got to see the Machu Picchu in Peru. It’s a pre-Columbian Inca site that is located on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley. The Machu Picchu was built in a classical Inca style that is polished with dry-stone walls. Its main buildings at the Inca site that Schulz got to see are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun and the Room of the Three Windows.

According to Schulz she encourages everyone to visit Peru and Argentina and learn a thing or two about the Spanish language and its culture. Especially when in Argentina, get a taste of the meat.